Balsall Heath, 2 miles South of
Birmingham City Centre, has become home
to a succession of immigrant communities
including Irish, Pakistani and the
African-Caribbean community. At one time
Balsall Heath had a bad reputation but
efforts at community regeneration have
gone a long way to turning around the
fortunes of the area. Local people are
pulling together to tackle crime, promote
health, address women's issues and to
improve the environment  all of
which are seen holistically, as
inter-linking concerns.

Confused Spaces are little pockets of
council land that nobody seems to care
for. In the past, disillusioned residents
have used them as a dumping ground for
waste. Balsall Heath Forum Environment
Team have convinced the City Council, who
own many but not all of the spaces, to
let them use and improve these small
corners, to clear up the rubbish and
replace it with cheerful flowers and
trees. They are trying to find ways of
involving local people in taking an
interest in these spaces, taking care of
them and making them more pleasant and
attractive for everyone. Open air
activities such as cultural celebrations,
arts and sports events have enticed
people to come and see what is happening,
and already communities are showing their
willingness to support campaigns to
protect and enhance their green spaces.

The Environment Team includes paid
workers, trainees and volunteers
recruited from within Balsall Heath, so
they reflect the ethnic profile of the
community. At first people viewed their
work as low status, with few prospects;
but as its impact becomes increasingly
visible, the team are optimistic that
career routes will open up and they will
be recognized as role models, pioneering
new areas of education and employment for
ethnic communities within the environment
sector.